Thierry Dusautoir rejects stories of unrest within France camp
France captain Thierry Dusautoir has dismissed claims that the French dressing room has staged a ‘rebellion’ against coach Philippe Saint-Andre on the eve of their World Cup quarter-final against New
©PA
France captain Thierry Dusautoir has dismissed claims that the French dressing room has staged a ‘rebellion’ against coach Philippe Saint-Andre on the eve of their World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand.
On Thursday the L'Obs Sport newspaper reported that a "discreet" rebellion had apparently taken place against Saint-Andre and that there was "bedlam" in the squad ahead of Saturday's showdown in Cardiff.
Bizarrely, it was even suggested that some senior players had become responsible for team selection and Dusautoir himself had taken over the coaching reins this week.
But the 33-year-old back-rower rejected the stories of French unrest on Friday at a pre-match press conference in Newport.
"I don't understand what everyone is talking about," Dusautoir said.
"We prepare for this game as a team and all the boys, coaches and manager are working together."
Coaching unrest is not unprecedented in a French World Cup camp; during the 2011 tournament players expressed their unhappiness with then coach Marc Lievremont following a shock group stage defeat to Tonga.
But France recovered from that early setback to make the final and Dusautoir said Les Bleus were unified in facing current champions and favourites to repeat New Zealand four years on.
"We are are going to continue to work together," Dusautoir said. "It's a team ready to play New Zealand."
Dusautoir was part of the France side which stunned New Zealand 20-18 in a 2007 World Cup quarter-final also held, ironically, in Cardiff.
Four years later, Dusautoir – born in the Cote d’Ivorie - scored a try as France lost 8-7 to New Zealand in the Auckland final - but the flanker says he is not bothered about the past.
"2007 was special because we won against the All Blacks and not many teams have done that. I think French people really liked this moment," Dusautoir said.
"We had a great moment eight years ago, another one four years ago in reaching the final.
"Maybe, I'm going to a have third special memory to think about.
"But If we lose the game against New Zealand we are out of the tournament, and what we are going to do tomorrow is the most important.
"It is always a big challenge to play New Zealand but we have prepared ourselves for it."
The Millennium Stadium quarter-final also marks the last time that Dusautoir and All Blacks captain Richie McCaw will lock horns after so many infamous battles over the years.
"McCaw is a good player - everybody knows it," Dusautoir said. "He's the best player of his generation and what he did for All Blacks is incredible.
"It is always special to play against him. It is the last opportunity and I am going to enjoy it.
"It's also really special to play against New Zealand. We have a special history together and we are going to write a new chapter (on Saturday)."
